Fairmont Waterfront

With some of the best views in Vancouver, this hotel caters to the needs of business travelers and tourists alike.

The views are everywhere at the Fairmont Waterfront in Vancouver, BC. In fact, you won't find a room without a quality vantage point. It's as if every floor-to-ceiling window in every one of the bedrooms is a work of art devoted to the local landscape: the inner harbor, coastal mountains and Stanley Park. The hotel's proximity to Stanley Park and Gastown is great for leisure travelers. Herons Restaurant, with two-story windows overlooking the water and mountains, is located just off the lobby. It serves regional cuisine and showcases Canadian wines. Of note is the use of over 50 varieties of herbs, all grown in the hotel's own 2,000-square-foot terrace herb garden. All of the 489 accommodations come with floor-to-ceiling windows; more than 300 overlook the harbor, while the rest reveal views across the city to the mountains. The style is simple and provincial, incorporating warm, rustic colors, as well as a few marine tones that reflect the landscape outside. Standard rooms come in four categories, essentially rated by their views. The best of these are the 470-square-foot, corner Signature Rooms with 180-degree views. Suites have private bedrooms and upgraded amenities such as CD players; select Executive Suites come with dining areas and private terraces. Lodging is also offered on the Fairmont Gold level, which is positioned as a hotel within a hotel. Staying here gets you private check-in and -out at a ninth-floor reception area, access to a private lounge with terrace, complimentary breakfast, cocktails and hors d'oeuvres, as well as complimentary use of a boardroom. Several amenities accompany the scenery, such as a rooftop pool, a cigar shop (so you can savor a smoke while taking in the views) and a concierge (to give you the lowdown on the views). In short: the views have it.